Loyola Freshman Go Into the Streets

(New Orleans)—When you think about leaving home and going away to college for the first time, you probably have images of decorating dorm rooms, meeting roommates and fellow students, buying a meal plan, school supplies and books and assimilating into a new environment. Volunteerism is not in the forefront of most freshman’s minds, however, at Loyola University New Orleans, community activism is part of the experience.

“Into the Streets,” a community service program, is part of the “Catch the Action” orientation program for incoming freshman. “Into the Streets” is scheduled for August 24, 2002, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., when Loyola students and staff will take to the streets in a community service project with Habitat for Humanity at 1701 Marigny Street. Loyola students meet at 10 a.m. in the Danna Center, St. Charles Room. Work on the house begins at 11:45 a.m.

One of the hallmarks of a Jesuit education is the service to others. University Ministry Chaplain and Loyola University Community Action Program (LUCAP) advisor Sr. Leyla Cerda, CSJ, who heads up this project says, “In my experience, our students are eager to serve, listen to the voices of the marginalized, and advocate for a just world for all.”

The Loyola community has many arms out in the community and its work with numerous groups and agencies is far-reaching and overwhelming. Last year, approximately 820 Loyola students contribute over 20,000 hours of community service. For more information about “Into the Streets,” contact Sr. Leyla at 865-2141 or email at lpcerda@loyno.edu